Bowling Green’s Old Settlers Picnic Celebrates 142nd Year This Weekend

by Amanda York

Staff Writer

T he streets of Bowling Green will be alive with activity this weekend as the 142nd Bowling Green Old Settlers Picnic takes place. The action began Thursday evening, but continues tonight, Friday, and Saturday and features plenty of music, vendors, good food and fun for all ages. (Staff Photo)
The start of school signifies the unofficial beginning of fall as well as the unofficial beginning of the fall festival season and this year is no different.

With Gosport Lazy Days and the Coal City Festival behind us, Owen Countians and beyond can now shift their attention to the 142nd Bowling Green Old Settlers Picnic and all it has to offer.

The festival action actually began Thursday evening, but has plenty to do for the weekend crowd as well.

Starting today, Friday, at 12 noon and running until dark, the bounce houses and inflatables will be open on the square. Also at the same time, art, craft, flea market and food booths will open for your enjoyment.

Put on by Let ‘Er Buck Interactives, this bounce house extravaganza, a dream-come-true for children, opened to the public Thursday night and continues today, Friday, from 12 noon until dark, and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until dark. (Staff Photo)
Grab your napkins, your tartar sauce and your appetite as the Jonah Fish Fry commences at the community building at 4:00 p.m. and runs until 8:00 p.m. Adults can eat for $8, while children 12 and under are $5. Desserts are $1 each.

The gospel quartet, “Firm Foundation,” takes the stage from 6:00- 7:00 p.m. with the “Jackson Township Band” to play from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Following the musical numbers, the “Rise & Shine Cloggers” will dance their way into your heart from 8:00-9:00 p.m.

For those who are more action or animal oriented, the heavy weight horse pulls are sure to tickle your fancy as the first teams are scheduled to pull at 7:30 p.m.

After a fun-filled Friday evening, be sure to get your rest as Saturday morning at the festival begins bright and early with the Masonic Lodge #85 breakfast from 7:00-11:00 a.m. It is an annual event that will feature pancakes and biscuits and gravy. Although there is no official charge for the meal, a freewill donation will be taken.

After getting your tummy full with delicious food, head over to the community building where the annual baby, toddler and Little Miss Contest get underway at 9:30 a.m. For babies, the prizes of Little Prince and Princess will be awarded and check in time is 9:00 a.m.

In the toddler contest, open to children ages two to three years old, prizes will include Little Prince, Little Princess, Best Smile and Pretties Eyes. Check in time is 9:30 a.m.

For girls ages four through six, the Little Miss contest is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. with check-in time at 9:45. Prizes awarded will be Little Miss, first runner-up and second runner-up. Contestants in all three contests are limited to residents of Clay County and Bowling Green only.

Once the picnic’s “royalty” is announced, head over to the bounce house and inflatables or the art, craft, flea market and food booths which open at 10:00 a.m and close at dark.

Next on the agenda is the kidfavorite, Pedal Tractor Pulls which start at 2:30 p.m. on the west side of the square. Weigh-in time begins at 2:00 p.m. and the event is open to all children through age 12. Prizes will be awarded to the winner in each class and all par- ticipants will receive a ribbon.

After working up an appetite in the pedal tractor pulls or just watching them, head over to the community building once more for a hot plate of chicken and noodles from 4:00-8:00 p.m. An adult meal will be $8, with children 12 and under $5, and dessert $1.

If music is your style, join the “Center Point Praise Band” on the stage from 6:00-7:00 p.m. or the James Family Singers from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Following those two shows, be sure to stick around and get your toes to tappin’ as “Nathan Jenkins and Bluegrass Friends” take the stage from 8:30-10:00 p.m.

Once again, if action is your style, at 7:00 p.m., the antique tractor pulls will start and are sure to bring a bit of nostalgia to your weekend. All tractors must be 5500-6500, and 1952 and older. Weigh-in time is 5:00 p.m. at the Bowling Green Feed & Grain. An entry fee will be charged and monies will be paid back as prizes.

Whatever your fancy, the 142nd Bowling Green Old Settlers Picnic is sure to have something to please, so stop by and enjoy a good time!